HC Deb 13 March 1885 vol 295 cc1077-8
MR. CHAPLIN

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether the Privy Council have received information as to any further outbreak or outbreaks of foot and mouth disease quite recently in England?

MR. TEEVELYAN

The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was reported to the Privy Council on the 7th instant. The disease appeared among a herd consisting of 22 cattle on a farm at Crowland Common, near Spalding. An Inspector of the Privy Council visited the farm on Monday the 9th, and found six of the cattle then affected with the disease. The Local Authorities have been very energetic. The last animals brought into the premises arrived four weeks before the outbreak was detected. There is no evidence to show that they brought the disease with them. This, with the case of Swaffham in Norfolk, makes only two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease this year, as far as it has gone.

MR. CHAPLIN

asked whether, in face of the fact that foot-and-mouth disease prevailed in Germany, the Privy Council were satisfied that the circumstances of that country were such as to afford reasonable security to England, by the continued importation of live animals, against the importation of disease?

MR. TREVELYAN

It is plain we think so, on account of the measures which we have taken and refrained from taking. The fact that it is three weeks since the last sheep were affected with foot-and-mouth disease is a very good proof that the Privy Council were right in not acting more harshly than they did; but, of course, if there is any more importation of diseased animals the Privy Council will very seriously consider the matter.

MR. CHAPLIN

said, that in consequence of the reply he had received, and as he could place so little reliance on the Government, he would take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the subject.